Wichita eagle., 1887-07-05


greatness. You would go in thar by your
self ter mourn but tuck me in ter make
me feel proud o. myself; an long time
ago. when we'd set in thar, I'd think it
wuz a blessed privilege to be cripple.
Yes. mother, that is my fool room.'
She stood in the back yard and looked
after him when he walked down the
branch, deeply troubled. When he came
home at evening" his mother hoping that
he had repented of what he said, took him
by the hand and gently attempted to draw
him into the dark room.
81 will not go in the fool room," he
said rather harshly, but quickly putting
his withered arm around her neck, he
softly added: Mother, you must not ask
me ter go in thar
"Jes' one more time, fur feel Like the
spirit o. yore father is thar"
He hesitated moment longer, then
suffered her to lead him into the room.
When they came out he was laughing.
"You shall have hundreds o. fine dresses
when l make laws" he said. 'You
shan't do no work, an We'll ride in fine
carriage"
He put his sound arm around her neck,
drew her to him and kissed her.
eyes, an we'll be so happy then, won't
we, son.
"Yessum, an We'll eat pie"
eyes"
can put whole lot O. jam on wheat
read."
Yes she said.
cam we'll give all the con bread ter
I he hogs" he continued. "Oh, femme
tell you,'' he delightedly exclaimed, again
drawing her to him with his sound arm,
'I'm goin' ter git you one O. these here
purity striped dresses
Eyes, SON.
can won't have no patched britches,
neither"
'sNo."
''But will dress fine.''
yes
When he had gone to sleep she gathered
him into her arms and let her heart throb
against him.
The next morning he got up laughing,
and, when she stood in the door watching
him as he walked away, he turned around
and joyously waved his hand at her. He
did not return until late in the evening.
She sprang toward him. He put out his
withered arm. She gazed at him mo-
ment, and then taking his hand, at
tempted to lead him. He drew back with
shudder.
81 will not 60 into the fool room," he
said. "You needn't beg me, mother
there again"
"My son, what is the matter with
your"
81 am no longer a fool, that's all. You
shut my eyes that night, but they are
open now"
''What has opened them?'
'You shut them"
"But who opened them?'
Without replying, ne went into his own
room and shut the door. The next day
she attempted to follow him, but he drove
her back. Shortly after he had gone,
neighbor, an old woman, came over and
asked if Zanby were home.
''Whut makes you ask:'
Didn't know, but he-wall, the truth
is, he is nearly dyin' about her."
''Whos' the old woman gasped.
'Miss Reynolds"
Zanby's mother sank down with
groan. II reckon you must have seed
her." the neighbor continued. Ever
body do low that she's the peartest and
puttiest creetur that ever come round
here. They say that Zanby is nearly dead
about her Pity, for she's dun engaged
ter a jedge. Wy, Zanby amt seed her
but a few times, an don't reckon she
ever seed him a tall, to know him. Well,
l must run back"
Zanby stood behind tree, gazing at a
beautiful girl, dressed in white. She was
gathering flowers. Zanby slipped from
behind the tree and approached her.
''There's that poor little cripple again."
she unused. He took off his hat.
Good morning." said the young lady.
In attempting to bow he leaned over too
far and fell.
''Poor little fellowr' she exclaimed, run
ming to him. He scrambled to his feet
and gazed at her
"Do you love flowers" she asked, not
knowing what else to say.
Il love one flower" he replied.
"Only one? Why, 1 love them all. Which
one do you love?''
tYoun
ooh, you must not talk that way" she
kindly replied. "You don't know me well
enough"
81 know you well enough to die for you"
''This is Serious" she unused, and then,
with a laugh full of music, said: ''You
must never think or dying Tor any one,
but live"-
81 WILL" he broke in. 81 will live for
you. / am not a fool now"
ooh, no, you are not a fool"
81 ken never be statesman"
She laughed. He bit his lips. 81 must
co. she said.
wait" he said.
"No, must 60"
He attempted to take her hand. go
away, you impudent little thing. Go
away, and don't come back here again"
The widow waited until midnight, and
then, as Zanby had not come, she aroused
the neighbors. Early the next morning
he was found, lying in the branch. His
withered arm lay across his face. Friends
assembled at the house, but the old woman
and her son were alone in the ''fool room"
-Opie p. Read in Arkansaw Traveller.
The Order of Domestic Service.